FORT MYERS, Fla. — Criminal defense attorneys say Joseph Zieler’s decision to testify at his trial helped determine his fate.
On Thursday night, a jury found Joseph Zieler guilty of murdering 11-year-old Robin Cornell and 32-year-old Lisa Story.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Jury finds Joseph Zieler guilty in double murder trial
The murders happened 33 years ago, on May 10, 1990.
Zieler was not required to testify. The United States Constitution said he has the right to remain silent. Criminal defense attorneys in Fort Myers said his testimony was not a good look.
“It’s very unusual. I mean, the whole purpose of testifying is to get something out that’s good for your client, so you don’t want to offend people and start using bad language that doesn’t help the jury like you at all,” said Joe Viacava of Joe Viacava Law Firm.
Lance Dunford is also a criminal defense attorney and partner of the Law Firm of Scott Moorey. He said most criminal defense attorneys advise their clients to not testify.
“While he (Zieler) was testifying, he had a really unusual itch that he had to scratch with his middle finger. Flicking off anybody in a court setting is not a good look… clearly disrespectful to the court,” Dunford said. “You’re literally being judged by a jury of peers and for a very serious crime that most people can take the logical step to say, well if someone is dead, somebody lost their cool. Him flicking off a camera… is a pretty good representation of him losing his cool.”
Zieler told Judge Robert Branning during the trial that one of the ways he was defending himself was by calling the mother of 11-year-old victim Robin Cornell “A pig.”
“Well nobody would listen to me, so I was trying to defend myself. She’s calling me a rapist and a murderer, and I’m calling her a pig for not washing her sheets,” Zieler said.
At one point, Judge Branning had to threaten Zieler with contempt of court.
“If you continue to act in this manner, I will have contempt proceeding. Is that in any way clear, Mr. Zieler?” Judge Branning said.
Zieler now faces the death penalty or life in prison. Only eight members of the jury will have to be convinced to put Zieler to death. A new law was recently passed in Florida, changing the death penalty vote from unanimous to eight.
The post Joseph Zieler’s testimony shapes verdict in double murder case appeared first on NBC2 News.
